Hinged octagonal cut rock crystal snuffbox mounted in yellow - Lot 144

Hinged octagonal cut rock crystal snuffbox mounted in yellow gold (750 thousandths). Good condition. Paris, 1784-1785. Goldsmith: Charles Ouizille (active 1771-1830). H. 3 cm - W. 6.5 cm - D. 5.2 cm MC Gross weight: 106.5 g. History Son of a farmer from Chartres, younger brother of Louis Ouizille (master silversmith from 1768), Charles Ouizille Ouizille began his apprenticeship with Louis-Guillaume Cassé in 1760, and appears to have completed his training with with Philippe-Antoine Magimel. On June 26, 1771, he had his hallmark (CO and a trefoil) inscribed, guaranteed by Magimel. In 1774, he opened his workshop on the Quai des Orfèvres and was ranked 270th in his community according to the 20th tax roll. Success came in April 1783, when he bought the business business from Pierre-François Drais. The deed included a three-year partnership clause between Ouizille and the two Drais brothers: it is the name of Drais that appears in the account books of merchant merchant Aubert, supplier to the Queen, until his death in 1785. Appointed in 1784, he became a frequent supplier to the Crown and the Menus Plaisirs. The Victoria and Albert Museum preserves an album of drawings corresponding to the workshop's activity, from its founder Ducrollay to Ouizille. The Revolution briefly interrupted his career: in 1801, he returned to business, and had his diamond-shaped hallmark (CO, a heart at the top and a pansy flower below). In 1806, according to the Almanach du Commerce, his workshop at 38, quai des Orfèvres, specialized in "large jewelry". Ouizille returned to business under the Empire, initially in association with jeweler Vachette, then as the King's jeweler under the Restoration. In 1826, he was appointed "jeweler inspector of Crown diamonds". He died in 1830.